Friday, January 27, 2017

Few Chinese Horoscope books contain overall prognostications for the year. In my large collection of these books, one of the few that does is the first edition of Theodora Lau's The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes, published in 1979. Unfortunately, in the later editions of this book, her overall predictions for each year have been removed.

To provide my friends with this interesting information, here is Ms. Lau's overall forecast for the Year of the Rooster, plus her predictions for how individuals will fare this year, given the animal that represents their birth year. (To determine what animal you are, see my table of animals for birth dates.)

January 28, 2017 – February 15, 2018

The optimism of the
Monkey year overlaps the year of the Rooster, but the Rooster tends to be
overconfident and is prone to come up with nonsensical plans. While the
colorful Rooster brings bright and happy days, he also dissipates energy.
Better stick to practical and well proven paths. Forget about that
controversial best seller you were going to write. No get rich quick schemes
this year, please!

It may require a great
deal of effort this year to resist going off on wild goose chases. Refrain from
making speculative ventures. Disappointments and conflicts will result. The
Rooster likes to flaunt his authority and a lot of trouble can come from his
domineering attitude. But since he also symbolizes the good administrator and
conscientious overseer of justice in the barnyard, the peace will still be
kept. Everything will be precariously balanced in the Rooster's year, as his
dramatic personality can set off all kinds of petty disputes.

This year we may have to
expend maximum effort for minimum gain. Try not to fuss too much. Details do
need looking into, but don't forget to view the whole picture. Be cautious. Do
not aim too high. One is liable to get shot down.

Politics will adhere to
hard-line policies. The diplomatic scene will be dominated by philosophical orators
who rave a lot about nothing. Governments will be found flexing their muscles
at each other, but just for show. There may be no real confrontations. It is
just that everyone will be too occupied with himself to hear or care what the
other person is saying. The self-conscious influence of the Rooster will cause
us to take offense at the smallest slight. We will tend to be terribly
ostentatious about the splendid image we think we project. Dissensions and
debates on all fronts will signify the Rooster's penchant for argumentative
exercises and will not be likely to do permanent damage to anyone when taken in
the right context.

This will be a buoyant
year in spite of the Rooster's knack for making simple things complicated. One
thing is for sure: he seldom comes up empty-handed. This is the year of one
very self-sufficient bird that will never go hungry.

Just keep your eyes open and your mouth shut and check
facts and figures before making unprecedented moves. We should all get by
without too much hardship. Our pockets will not be empty although our nerves
may be a bit frayed.

How you will fare in the Year of the Rooster

RatCelebrations are in store for the Rat. New partnerships
or a marriage are in the family. A very hectic time as good things could happen
overnight. Due to his busy schedule and many commitments, the Rat must be on
guard against infections, cuts, bruises and overwork.

OxThe Ox will have a moderately
happy time and will still enjoy success although he could experience one
strange or unlikely incident this year.
He should be on the watch out for some foreclosure in property or being
swindled by a friend.

TigerA moderate year. The Tiger must not be over-anxious. The
seemingly large problems that beset him this year can be solved and help will
come at the last moment from unexpected places or newfound friends.

RabbitA difficult year for the Rabbit, as he finds money
dwindling away and meets setbacks that cause extra expense. A time for him to
merge with others and let them carry him through. He should be conservative
this year and not act independently. Problems and obstacles at home and at work
will be over­come, but not before they cause him a lot of frustrations.

Dragon

A happy and eventful year for the Dragon: good news,
promotions and the return of money given up for lost. His family life is smooth
and he is able to recoup losses or make new influential friends.

SnakeA very auspicious year. The Snake's achievements can be
fantastic as he will receive the recognition or promotion he deserves. He will
be rewarded for his patience and past perseverance. Profits or some big increase
in income can also be expected. Home life is pleasant as the Snake reaps the
fruits of his labors.

Horse

A fair year. Good tidings at home but slight
disturbances in career. The problems he encounters will not be large ones but
they may slow down his progress and he will tend to get upset too easily.

SheepAn entertaining but rather expensive year. The Sheep
spends more than he earns and may be faced with irritating disputes or conflict
at home. A year in which he should not try to please everyone and watch his
finances very carefully.

MonkeyA moderate but stable time for the endeavors of the
Monkey person. He will have the extra money he needs and the right contacts to
push his plans through, but in turn he will neglect his home life, take on too
much forced socializing and find himself exhausted or overextended where
commitments are concerned. A year in which he must not underestimate his
opponents.

RoosterA moderately happy year in store for the Rooster. A time
for him to make a splendid comeback. He is able to solve his problems with
relative ease and he finds influential or powerful people who will support his
ideas. He may still be involved in disputes but will emerge unhurt from
accidents or other calamities.

DogA mixed year for the Dog native. Problems with health,
romance, govern­ment or superiors are indicated. Friends are not helpful or
understanding and he finds it hard to get back money due him. He will suffer
temporary loss of position and credibility.

BoarA busy and fair year. The Boar's domestic scene is calm
but his advancement will be curtailed or interrupted. He spends a great deal of
time and effort to overcome obstacles and must be patient with negotiations
that are complicat­ed and involved.

From: The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes by Theodora Lau, First Edition, 1979